Teachers question attendance rules amid persistent school absences, report finds

The short version

• Staff participating in an education research programme reported they would take their own children on term-time holidays due to costs and value.[The Guardian]
• Nearly one in five pupils across England and Wales miss at least 10% of school, according to findings from Impetus and Public First.[The Guardian]
• Unauthorised absence fines reached a record 492,825 in England in 2024–25, while overall pupil absence was 6.93% in 2025–26.[The Guardian]
• The children's commissioner cautioned that roughly 42,000 enrolled college teenagers attend classes less than half the time.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• A report by Impetus and Public First revealed that teachers surveyed would take their own children on term-time holidays if they were able.[The Guardian]
• Nearly one in five children in England and Wales are missing at least 10% of school.[The Guardian]
• The research interviewed 62 secondary school staff members from institutions where over a quarter of pupils were eligible for free school meals.[The Guardian]
• A record 492,825 penalty notices were issued to parents in England for unauthorised school absences during 2024–25.[The Guardian]
• Pupil absence in England reached 6.93% in 2025–26, up from 4.7% in 2018–19.[The Guardian]
• An estimated 42,000 students aged 16 and 17 enrolled in English colleges attend less than half the time, according to the children's commissioner.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Teachers say holidays in term can be worth more than time in schoolThe Guardian - World